Title

Authors

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Spring 5-24-2017

Abstract

It is clinically useful to predict potential for hearing aid use success prior to the initial fitting of hearing aids. This information may be used to help with additional counseling for speech understanding in noisy listening environments and can also be used to describe the use of communication skills in combination with the dynamic functionality of hearing aids to guide patients that are hearing aid candidates towards success. The Quick Speech-In-Noise (QuickSIN) test and the Acceptable Noise Level (ANL) test have been recognized for their ability to predict hearing aid use success; however, the two measures use different stimuli and require administration of two tests. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity and reliability of using the QuickSIN speech material to measure the ANL for adult listeners with hearing loss. The present study found that the revised ANL test using the QuickSIN speech material resulted in equivalent ANLs compared to the original test. Test-retest reliability was high. It was concluded that the QuickSIN speech material could be used to measure ANL in clinic.